We have completed the third session (78 bills were adopted, many of which have come into force) and now we need to prepare properly for the opening of the fourth session, which will happen on 15 September, Chairman of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeyenko told the media following a meeting of the Council of the House of Representatives, BelTA has learned.
According to him, a certain foundation has been laid: a number of bills have already cleared the first reading. “First of all, these are economic issues. A block of issues concerns the agricultural sector: the bills on aquaculture (fish farming), veterinary activities, and land reclamation. A major bill concerns the digital Belarusian ruble as a form of non-cash payment,” the speaker said.
Regarding the bill on the digital Belarusian ruble, Igor Sergeyenko noted that it is currently being refined, as various opinions are being expressed on various platforms. He also noted bills concerning industrial safety and the transportation of hazardous goods.
The Speaker drew attention to the fact that MPs get involved in the work on bills at an early stage, even before they are submitted to the House of Representatives by the government.
MPs also come up with legislative initiatives, Igor Sergeyenko said citing as an example the concept of the bill on volunteer activities. There are also other ideas that are at a high degree of readiness, he said. "But for a legislative initiative to mature and grow out of real-life needs, sometimes a great deal of work must be done,” the Speaker said.
Working in their constituencies, meeting with the public, hosting citizen receptions, and speaking to labor collectives, MPs compile reports outlining specific proposals. Subsequent analysis reveals that, in one form or another, these proposals have already been implemented in a particular law or concern the scope of a certain law at the regional level. Therefore, incoming suggestions cannot always develop into a legislative initiative, the speaker explained.
“By and large, we have stable legislation that has already been formed over these years. Substantial adjustments are not required on every occasion,” Igor Sergeyenko emphasized.
According to him, the work is organized in such a way that incoming bills are passed in both the first and second readings within the shortest possible timeframe. Bills ratifying Belarus’ agreements with other states are also reviewed promptly, the chairman of the House of Representatives added.
Parliamentary control
Igor Sergeyenko also commented on other issues considered during the meeting of the Council of the House of Representatives. In particular, consideration was given to monitoring the preparation and adoption of regulatory legal acts in accordance with the final provisions of laws.
The speaker recalled that amendments to the law on regulatory legal acts entered into force in 2026, according to which the House of Representatives is vested with powers to monitor the implementation of the final provisions of laws. Another controlling body has also been defined – the Office of the Council of Ministers.
“Today, we considered how to organize this work together with the government and develop a clear process. It is prescribed in the law, but in practice, it needs to be fine-tuned so as not to turn it into mere correspondence without making concrete decisions,” Igor Sergeyenko said. “The task is not only to monitor when it is adopted, but also to bring it to its logical conclusion, to when it actually starts working.” Therefore, MPs place special emphasis on this issue, he noted.
The second objective of legislative monitoring is to identify best practices and interesting developments in the legislative work of the State Duma and other foreign parliaments that could be adapted for use in Belarus, taking into account the country’s legal system and national experience, the speaker said.
Memorandum with the Arab Parliament
Continuing the discussion on international activities, Igor Sergeyenko announced that a delegation of the Arab Parliament is scheduled to visit Belarus on 19-22 July. During the visit, the parties plan to sign a memorandum of understanding between the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the Arab Parliament.
“This is a major institution, the legislative body of the League of Arab States, which brings together 22 countries from the Middle East and North Africa. Contacts with the organization were established during our visit to Egypt in May 2025,” Igor Sergeyenko said.
According to him, the signing of the memorandum will enable Belarusian MPs to participate in the work of the organization. “Our voice will also be heard on that platform. As a result, we will gain more friends, or at least more allies. Moreover, they represent a region that is of great interest to us and includes countries that maintain friendly relations with Belarus,” Igor Sergeyenko said. He added that the memorandum is expected to strengthen political dialogue and could eventually pave the way for initiatives aimed at developing economic cooperation.
The Council of the House of Representatives also heard reports from MPs on the outcomes of their foreign visits and on their work in their constituencies.
